La Vergne kidnapping takes man across state lines

A potential favor almost killed a man at the Driftwood Inn in La Vergne. Police say a 20-year-old man went to the hotel room to meet Jonathan Russell and Holly Summers, who had asked him for a ride.

"They had contacted the victim for a ride," says Sgt. Bob Hayes of the La Vergne Police Department. "A ride to where it's not clear at this point, whether it was to a family member or a friend."

At some point the three got into an argument that soon turned into a fight. Then Summers and Russell stabbed and beat the man, and stuffed him in the trunk of his car.

"The people took the young man and his vehicle and took him across the state line, into Georgia," Hayes said.

They drove for about two hours from La Vergne into Catoosa County, GA, where the man was left on the side of the road.

"He managed to escape from them and the vehicle, and seek assistance down in Georgia," Hayes said. "He was taken to a local hospital and treated for some pretty serious injuries."

La Vergne Police say the victim is lucky to be alive.

"This could've turned out a lot worse for the victim than it actually did," Hayes said. "Luckily he was of good health going into the day, so it helped him to survive and hopefully make a full recovery one day."

La Vergne Police ask everyone to use this story as a lesson to be safe and cautious with acquaintances.

"Don't put yourself in incidents where you could get something happening to you," Hayes said. "Even offering someone a ride that you really don't know that well. People are unpredictable these days. Just to be safe."